Raymond Lavigne

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The Honourable
Raymond Lavigne
Senator for Montarville, Quebec
In office
March 26, 2002 – March 21, 2011
Appointed by Jean Chrétien
Preceded by Sheila Finestone
Succeeded by Josée Verner
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Verdun—Saint-Henri—Saint-Paul—Pointe Saint-Charles
Verdun—Saint-Paul (1993–1997)
Verdun—Saint-Henri (1997–2000)
In office
October 25, 1993 – March 25, 2002[1]
Preceded by Gilbert Chartrand
Succeeded by Liza Frulla
Personal details
Born (1945-11-16) November 16, 1945 (age 78)
Political party Independent Liberal
(2006-2011)
Other political
affiliations
Liberal Party of Canada
(1993-2006)
Spouse(s) Carmen Robichaud

Raymond Lavigne (born November 16, 1945) is a former Canadian senator and businessman, and a former Member of Parliament (MP).

Lavigne first ran as a Liberal candidate for the Canadian House of Commons in the Quebec riding of Verdun—Saint-Paul at the 1988 election but was unsuccessful. He successfully contested the riding in the 1993 election. He was re-elected as the MP for the riding, with altered boundaries, in the 1997 and 2000 federal elections. He served until he was appointed to the Canadian Senate on March 26, 2002.

He was appointed to the Senate on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to make his riding available for Liza Frulla, a former Quebec cabinet minister.

Criminal charges and convictions

On June 8, 2006, he was expelled from the Liberal caucus after allegedly misusing Senate funds for personal use. He apparently used $23,000 in funds for work on his estate, including having his executive assistant cut down trees on his property.[2]

Since then, Lavigne's lawyer said that Lavigne had agreed to pay back the $23,000, without an admission of wrongdoing.[2]

On August 14, 2007, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who had been investigating allegations raised concerning the misuse of funds for the last year, laid criminal charges against Lavigne: fraud over $5,000, breach of trust and obstruction of justice.[3] Because of the criminal proceedings, Lavigne is barred from sitting in the Senate or taking part in any Senate committees, but still drew a salary and was entitled to claim expenses.[4]

His trial on these charges began December 9, 2009.[5] Closing arguments took place on September 17, 2010,[6] having been rescheduled from July 2010 to allow Lavigne to obtain trial transcripts.[7] On November 12, 2010, it was announced by the court that Judge Robert Smith's decision is ready but a date for the decision could not be set because Lavigne's lawyers did not show up.[8] A final ruling was scheduled to be issued on February 22, 2011,[9] but the court instead heard argument on how much weight should be given to Senate report on expenses spending. Lavigne's lawyers argued he should not be found guilty because the rules were unclear.[10] On March 11, 2011, Lavigne was found guilty of fraud and breach of trust, and was acquitted on the third charge of obstruction of justice.[11]

Because of the maximum term of 14 years in prison, Lavigne is not eligible for a discharge.[12] Therefore, he will be suspended from the Senate under Senate Rule 141 from the date of his sentencing until his sentence is overturned on appeal or the Senate decides whether to expel him.[13] Under Rules 138–139,[13] he will not receive a sessional allowance or various perquisites to which senators are entitled; it is not clear whether his salary will be affected by the suspension.

On March 21, 2011, Lavigne resigned from the Senate.[14][15]

On May 10, 2011, Lavigne was sentenced to six months in prison with an additional, consecutive six month conditional sentence to be served at home.[11] Lavigne appealed both his convictions and sentences, but his appeals were rejected. He began serving his sentence in June, 2013.[16]

Electoral record

Canadian federal election, 2000: Verdun–Saint-Henri–Saint-Paul–Pointe Saint-Charles
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
Liberal Raymond Lavigne (incumbent) 20,905 51.27 $59,347
Bloc Québécois Pedro Utillano 11,976 29.37 $34,065
     Progressive Conservative Bernard Côté 2,670 6.55 $3,761
Alliance Jacques Gendron 2,098 5.15 $12,598
New Democratic Matthew McLauchlin 1,003 2.46 $1,499
Green Lorraine Ann Craig 933 2.29 $22
Marijuana Marc-André Roy 924 2.27 $46
Communist Bill Sloan 148 0.36 $1,627
     N/A (Christian Heritage) William Lorenson 117 0.29 $298
Total valid votes 40,774 100.00
Total rejected ballots 1,200
Turnout 41,974 59.05
Electors on the lists 71,085
Sources: Official Results, Elections Canada and Financial Returns, Elections Canada.
Canadian federal election, 1997
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal Raymond Lavigne 21,424
Bloc Québécois Donald Longépée 15,153
Progressive Conservative Aline Aubut 6,838
New Democratic Claude Ledoux 1,156
Natural Law Michèle Beausoleil 498
Reform Deepak Massand 380
Marxist–Leninist Geneviève Royer 205


Canadian federal election, 1993: Verdun—Saint-Paul
Party Candidate Votes % ∆% Expenditures
Liberal Raymond Lavigne 19,644 43.69 $36,451
  Bloc Québécois Kim Beaudoin 19,095 42.47 $35,583
  Progressive Conservative André Martin 3,864 8.59 $51,508
  New Democratic Party Claude Ledoux 860 1.91 $0
Green Jean-Marc Beaudin 598 1.33 $1
  Natural Law Marylise Baux 432 0.96 $408
  Abolitionist Yvan Cousineau 140 0.31 $0
  National J.J. McPherson 130 0.29 $466
  Non-affiliated Deepak Massand 115 0.26 $6,744
  Commonwealth Golam Khan 88 0.20 $0
Total valid votes 44,966 100.00
Total rejected ballots 1,720
Turnout 46,686 75.50
Electors on the lists 61,838
Source: Thirty-fifth General Election, 1993: Official Voting Results, Published by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada. Financial figures taken from the official contributions and expenses submitted by the candidates, provided by Elections Canada.
Canadian federal election, 1988
Party Candidate Votes
Progressive Conservative Gilbert Chartrand 20,113
Liberal Raymond Lavigne 15,207
New Democratic Alain Tassé 6,572
Green Jan-Marc Lavergne 1,339
Rhinoceros Irène Maman Mayer 902
Commonwealth of Canada Claude Brosseau 142
Independent Yvon Turgeon 105

References

  1. House of Commons Journal for April 8, 2002 (37th Parliament, 1st Session, No. 163)
  2. 2.0 2.1 Liberal Senator Lavigne kicked out of caucus
  3. Liberal Sen. Raymond Lavigne charged with fraud
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  14. "Convicted Senator Lavigne quits". CBC News, 21 March 2011.
  15. "Disgraced Senator Lavigne resigns after fraud conviction". Toronto Star, 21 March 2011.
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External links